In response to the sad news about John Ulwelling, I feel I should write afew words.

First of all, I'd like to express my thanks to Ron Dale, Dave Hansen and allothers who have maintained a contact with alumni of Tigard High School. Ireceive Tigard High school news from them occasionally, and though I haveonly attended one gathering (1986) I still remember a great many of thestudents from our class of '66. I never got to know many very well, as Iwasn't a very socially active student. Since then, I found that my recentdiagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome can probably explain the distance I keptand the lack of confidence that I felt. I liked many of the students, andadmired them for their contributions, school spirit, and fun personalities.I just didn't feel that I was part of the mainstream of social life atschool. I did make an effort to join in, but it was a struggle for me. Myone really great friendship with the big guy, Ron Simpson, helped me feelmore connected, since he had lots of friends.

I must say that of all the teachers I ever had, from grade 1 through 12,John Ulwelling was the single standout teacher that made a real differencein my life. There certainly were good teachers in junior high and highschool. But when I consider the impact that the best and most inspiringteachers can have, he is the singular memory for me. His manner,personality, dedication, humor and teaching style made learning enjoyableand inevitable for me. I was reluctant to be in the "spotlight", and was(even as a senior) mortified at giving an oral report in front of theteacher and entire class, as I did in his World History class. But I roseto the challenge (Greekarchitecture!) and somehow made it through, feeling that I had donesomething of value. And he was able to elicit in the students a feeling ofbeing in a cohesive, friendly team of learners, mutually supportive andfocused on the topics offered, every day.

I was fortunate to have Mr. Ulwelling as a teacher for two consecutiveyears, in U.S. History and then World History. I became a teacher myself in1986 and continue to this day (music specialist in Vancouver, WA), and Ihave never forgotten how engaging and enjoyable Mr. Ulwelling's classeswere. I believe he has influenced my own style and approach to leadingyoung people through the learning adventure. You were so right, Anne, whenyou described him as a role model. His characteristics of spontaneity,directness, amusement and focus on learning have become strands of myteaching style.

I always loved his way of setting the class at ease....he would sit facingthe group with his chair reversed, leaning his arms casually on the back("let's shoot the breeze") and proceed with discussions about great moviesthat we should see (and why we should see them, and what to look and listenfor that were relevant to our lives)---or current events of the day, whichwere worth really paying attention to, because they mattered. He sometimesrelated anecdotes of his college life (quite recent for him, of course),such as the day his mates pulled a prank on him and somehow got his littlecar into the lobby of their fraternity house, and he had no clue how to getit out......my memory is a bit foggy, but it was something like that. Then, when it was the right time, he would turn it completely around and say(something like), "Okay, let's get to work", and we all turned with him tothe lesson at hand, feeling refreshed and ready.

And Mr. Ulwelling used the phrase, "seize the day", which he presented in away that was life-enriching. Years later, when viewing the film, "DeadPoets Society", that immediately came to mind for me. Two final things forme to mention are quite personal, and they both attest to Mr. Ulwelling'ssincere interest in students' lives. At the end of Senior year, in our World History class, he askedstudents about their personal goals...what would we be doing NEXT? now thatwe were ready to move ahead into our lives. He asked me, in front of theclass, and he was aware that I had aspirations of playing music in a band,and I don't remember what I answered, but he showed a positive encouragementtoward me and all, with attention to detail. He asked the kinds of questionsthat were both perceptive of our interests and also thought-provoking to us.I believe that he wasn't just curious, but also nudged me into consideringthe many aspects of my chosen path. The following year, I saw him inTigard, at the bank where I had my account. He stopped to chat with me andsort of catch up with how I was doing. That meant a lot to me, and gave mereinforcement at a time when I still had uncertainty and self- doubt.

A few years later, I wrote a letter to John Ulwelling, to express myappreciation for his work as a teacher, and how (for me) he had made apositive impact on my life. Many years after that, I saw him on TV,possibly at the Schnitzer for some kind of symposium and he was onstage.....I may be wrong, but it could have been concerning AmnestyInternational or a similar organization. I felt that he was moving to a newlevel of reaching people about things that should matter to us, and I wasnot surprised to see him in that role. He remains a great person in mylife, and I hope to hear more reflections from classmates about how he had alasting impact on their lives.

My "few words" runneth over, but for such a reminiscence I hope I'mforgiven! I hope all is well with you, Anne, and if you feel these wordsare worth sharing with others, you are welcome to do so.

Sincerely,

Steve (Koski) Riihikoski

***

Posted March 25-09

Dear Alumni,

We just
received information of a memorial service planned in honor of Mr.John
Ulwelling. Please forward this announcement to all alumni on your
e-mail list as we don't have everyone's address.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at
11:00 a.m., at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 NW Davis Street, Portland, Oregon.

I laughed so hard last night my stomach hurt, what a fun get-together.
Great pictures, too, thanks for posting them, but I have to echo Nikk,
when do you sleep? See you at Rosie's gig or in May,Janet [Abeling]

+++

Posted March 14-2008

Good Morning Dave,

When do you sleep - do you sleep with your camera and laptop -
HAAH. Thanks for posting pic's my laugher still hurts from the
good time had by all looking forward to May get together and Rosie's
Concert